This book is largely the personal account by Patrick Mbunwe Samba, of how life in his home village of Binshua has been permeated throughout by belief in witchcraft. The book not only provides a historical account informed by his reminiscences of his childhood, it shows as well that even today, belief in witchcraft is very widespread. Witchcraft exerts a profound influence on society in Binshua and in Cameroon in general. The book also provides accounts of the experiences of others, some of them very recent, and gives examples of what injustices and suffering can be caused by the notion that any misfortune must have been caused by witchcraft. For the overwhelming majority of people in village communities such as Binshua, Samba argues, anything not immediately understandable is witchcraft - which is synonymous with mystery. Many educated Africans, too, revert to such traditional attitudes in stressful situations. It may be thought surprising that in spite of the impact of Christianity, Western culture and the improved level of education, the majority of people still believe in witchcraft, and that this phenomenon not only persists but is actually increasing. The book perplexes and challenges by avoiding to provide simple answers to the question whether which witchcraft is real or imagined.

A revised and expanded edition of the first text in the Folk Witchcraft series. Complete with practical exercises, descriptions of craft theories and models, and a beginner's working grimoire, Folk Witchcraft provides the student witch with a concise, yet thorough introduction to the old craft that is firmly rooted in the past and adapted for the present. Experienced witches will deepen and enrich their practices by connecting more fully to traditional magics from hundreds of years in the past.With over 50 rituals, charms, and exercises, Folk Witchcraft offers a refreshingly simple approach to the craft that is non-dogmatic, flexible, and rewarding as a regular spiritual practice.

This follow-up to the wildly successful Wiccapedia delves deeper into witchcraft, cosmic helpers, spells, and nature magic—from flowers to faeries. Includes a full-color insert on pentacle magick! With more in-depth explorations of nature magick and divination, this beautifully illustrated guide to witchcraft is a must for all Wiccans in search of greater knowledge. It covers everything from hedge witches to druids; working with cosmic helpers like angels, gods and goddesses, and spirit guides for a variety of spells; nature magic—from drawing down the moon to psychic plant power; tapping into cosmic power; and developing your sixth sense, mastering tarot, using angel numbers, and spiritual astrology. A FAQ section at the end answers the most-asked questions about the craft.

Explore how the ancient power of runes can enhance your witchcraft practice with this essential, comprehensive guide to reading runes. If you are looking to add a new tool to your divination skill set, look no further than the ancient tradition of runic language. Runes are a powerful divination used to see the future, make decisions about current life, aid in spell casting, commune with the dead, and so much more! In The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Runes, you will learn about this centuries-old magical experience of using runes in your craft. Each letter in the runic alphabet, whether it’s Norse, Celtic, or modern witch runes, holds a profound message meant to guide and inform, as well as enhance intentions about witchcraft. Within these pages, you will learn about the history of ancient runes, how to read and interpret them, and how to use them in your craft to enhance your magical powers.

Discover the beguiling history of witchcraft, magic, and superstition through the centuries in this stunningly illustrated title. A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most interesting and often controversial subjects in the world, covering everything from ancient animal worship and shamanism, through alchemy and divination to modern Wicca and the resurgence of the occult in 21st-century literature, cinema, and television. Providing readers with a comprehensive account of everything from Japanese folklore and Indian witchcraft to the differences between black and white magic, and dispelling myths such as those surrounding the voodoo doll and Ouija, the book explores the common human fascination with spells, superstition, and the supernatural. This riveting read on witchcraft further includes: - Engaging text and lavish illustrations with over 500 full-color images that bring the subject to life. - Special features on aspects of magic, such as oracle bones of ancient China, the Knights Templar, and magic at the movies, and “plants and potions”, such as mandrake and belladonna examine topics in great detail. - Quick-fact panels explore magic origins, key figures, key deities, uses in spells, structures of religions, and more. The perfect introduction to magic and the occult, it explores forms of divination from astrology and palmistry to the Tarot and runestones and offers key insights into the ways in which magic has interacted with religion. The most comprehensive illustrated history of witchcraft available, A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult will enthral and fascinate anyone interested in spiritualism and the occult.

Neither power nor morality but both. Moral power is what Sukuma farmers in Tanzania in times of crisis attribute to an unknown figure they call their witch. A universal process is involved, as much bodily as social, which obstructs the patient's recovery. Healers turn the table on the witch through rituals showing that the community and the ancestral spirits side with the victim. In contrast to biomedicine, their magic and divination introduce moral values that assess the state of the system and that remove the obstacles to what is taken as key: self-healing. The implied 'sensory shifts' and therapeutic effectiveness have largely eluded the literature on witchcraft. This book shows how to comprehend culture other than through the prism of identity politics. It offers a framework to comprehend the rise of witch killings and human sacrifice, just as ritual initiation disappears.

Wicca Spell Book: The Ultimate Wiccan Book on Magic and Witches! This book is a comprehensive guide to witchcraft, wicca and magic. It is just as useful for a beginner as it is for someone with knowledge on the subject. This book will teach you everything you need to need to know about Wicca, spells and magic! Broomsticks, pentacles, and wands, oh my! Have you ever wondered what modern witchcraft is all about? Do you already know a little about Wicca, and have been itching to know the basics? This book is perfect for anyone looking to learn about what Wiccans really believe. This book delves beyond the pop culture stereotypes to take a look at the true beliefs of the Old Religion.Included in this book is: Information deitiesThe Wiccan rede Holidays, And yes, MAGIC!Beyond being thorough and descriptive, this book focuses on everything a Wiccan just starting out needs to know. You'll learn about spells, sigils, the five Wiccan elements -- and most importantly for a Wiccan, you'll learn about developing and nurturing your spiritual connection with the natural world. All Wiccan practices are tied to the nature, from astrology to tarot. This is the perfect read for a beginner witch or anyone curious about the lifestyle of Wiccans.You will be amazed what you uncover in this book! It will open the doors to a new world!